A question about : UPS UKASH UKCASH Gumtree Scam and scams in general
Apologies if this has been posted many times before, but I had a search for this scam yesterday and found no results, and searched today and found an one (from this site) so I thought I would amalgamate all the points into one thread.
After contacting a seller from either Gumtree or whatever site you use, receive an email from that seller telling you that they are going to give you the item you wanted, and that they will provide for its delivery via a UPS business delivery.
Once you confirm that you want the item, you will receive two emails from UPS United Kingdom, one of which confirms your details along with the shipping payment paid by the seller and is full of very convincing business stuff such as guarantees and shipping rules. The other will be from a person in charge of your delivery, and will request you to pay the value of your goods to UPS via UKASH using Paypoint, Payzone or ePay method, and send the 19 digit number to them for the shipment to be sent.
The seller will then email you saying that she (it tends to be a woman who may mention that she is a busy fashion designer) thought you would be able to pay at the door, and that you will be able to inspect the package before you pay, but either way you will have the option of rejecting the package and the driver will give you your money back.
I understand from the experiences of others that after you hand over the 19 digit number, the seller will either thank you or not make any form of contact whatsoever. No tracking number will be provided. No one will answer the phone number at the bottom of the UPS email you received. No one will respond to your faxes, though in all honesty nobody uses fax these days anyway. The payment will be lost and the money untraceable. You will be very upset, and feel foolish.
At all times the seller appears to respond within good time, and messages are not automatic.
Now if you have been caught up in this scam, don't go too hard on yourself as it is very convincing. However there are some tell-tale signs and tips which you can use to avoid such scams in the future:
If the seller links their sale to a courier of some sort, verify this with the courier themselves. Go on their website (without using a link in an email) and call their customer services. Speak to a person and tell them about what the seller is asking, and what the email purporting to be from them is asking for. They will tell you if this is part of their standard procedure or not, and will confirm whether from their side it appears to be a scam.
Unusual payment methods scream scam. I personally have never even heard of UKASH (or UK CASH) before yesterday, so instantly a red flag went up on the payment. Give it a Google to see what information you can find on the payment method, and if it is rife with scams (like UKASH actually is) then either request another payment method or simply move on.
Check the emails. Couriers on the scale of UPS or EMS or DHL etc have their own websites and send emails to customers via that domain e.g. info@ups .com. Ignore the name on the email address and look at the email address itself. If it is not the courier's official website it is 100% fake, no question. The email I received from UPS was from ups.package.inspection@post.com. The person clearly purchased the domain post.com and used it for the scam.
Big companies use safe methods of payment. No self-respecting large scale company like UPS (which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange) will only ever invoice you, or request payment via Paypal (though Paypal is far less common and should still raise a red flag). These types of payment are usually more easily traceable, and so avoided by scammers and the like.
Pay attention to the little clues. These are inconsistencies in the stories the seller is making with their story. I asked this fashion designer if she was able to make trench coat belts (as I needed one) and she said she couldn't make one as she only does women's dresses for special occasions. So you can make fancy dresses but are unable to put a buckle on a strip of fabric? Additionally how exactly would the driver be able to refund you the money you paid via UKASH? Do they drive around in their thousand pounds vans, carrying thousands of pounds worth of goods, carrying thousands of pounds? Risk assessment for such a company would be ridiculous.
If its too good to be true it probably is. In my opinion the only perfect thing on the planet is fresh sliced bread, and even then it might not be perfect for someone with a gluten allergy. A great deal on an item (mine was a Ј380 13 inch macbook pro) with free 24 hour shipping, with the ability to reject the parcel and get a refund is sadly too good to be true and should be looked at with scepticism.
Google it. If you're suspicious, there's no harm in Googling a few things to verify it.
Hopefully this should be of use to some, and any other tips on how to avoid scams would be appreciated.
And here are the two addresses used to contact me, please note that the person's name was Anne though it has also been reported that she may use the name Jessica instead:
annesigns@gmail.com
ups.package.inspection@post.com
Best answers:
- this scam is still being used on gumtree ive just nearly been fooled by it myself luckly i smelt the rat someone selling a carp fishing set up from leeds a fashion designer again this time called Diane
- I also was nearly scammed yday by " Diane" a fashion designer. It was for a Ј235 fridge freezer and would have gone ahead if it hadn't of been for this post, so thanks very much
- This person has been cropping up on various forums for quite some time now. Many months, if not years.
You can't help but wonder how much money 'she' is making.
It's a pity the police are so utterly useless in cases such as this as 'she's probably scammed thousands by now but because any complaints made will be spread around different stations/forces 'the police' as an entity have no idea of the scale of the problem. - Just to say this scam is still alive, just had a scammer pretend to use Parcelforce to deliver a bed. This time they used Royal-Mail-Group@post.com as the sending address.
- Hi, replied to an add for dyson vacuum. Seller wants me to pay with UKASH voucher and email address is Royal-Mail-Group@post.com. Calling herself Alexa & a picture appears of her in the email. She claims this is a company "perk" & this will save me time & money. Thanks for this thread warning.
- Just had a similar ParcelForce . UKash scam attempted by Alexa Connel from Gloucester trying to sell me a printer for Ј100. The Parcel force email is attached below to warn others what to expect.
Almost fell for it but couldn't see Parcel Force paying money back!
Dave
On 23/05/2012 19:12, Alexa Connel wrote:
> Unfortunately I got called into the office so very busy till next week. Back at work we have some shipments for large items with parcelforce all week long. Just thought it would save you time and hassle if I'll send it along with them free of charge company benefits .
>
> I asked around and it seems you can pay cash upon delivery/inspection. It's quite simple since they're able to wait for you to check it out, if not as described they can just void the shipment.
>
> If that's alright with you I'll need a name, address, contact number and time frame when someone's home, can book a specific time slot if it helps.
>
> Working long hours so If you want to pop in and pick it up you'll just have to wait till next week when hopefully I'll get my head around .
> Let me know either way.
> Alexa.
> You can check out Alexa's profile on Google+ here : addressurlhttps ://plus.google.com/u/0/116731263126404310309
Parcelforce email
Parcel Tracking details
==================
At the request of Alexa Connel, this notice is to confirm that the following shipment is in transit.
Important delivery information
----------------------------------------------
Temporary parcel number: PBIE5569536882 *Pending-Not valid to track online*
Status: In progress(Arrived at delivery depot)
Ships to: Address name
Road
Town
post code
tel no
Payment required within 24 hours:
Instructions:
1. Find a corner shop, newsagent, convenience store, supermarket or outlet that has the PayPoint sign as you can see bellow:
2. Ask the shopkeeper for a Ј100.00 UKASH voucher.
3. Reply to this invoice directly with a readable scan or a photo of the UKASH receipt.
4. Our department will automatically validate your voucher and release the parcel out for delivery.
5. The delivery agent will call you on *077xxxxx50* 1 hour prior to delivery. You are able to inspect the contents and if satisfied you will need to sign for it. If not, our agent will do a bank transfer and return the parcel as rejected.
Parcel Force Package Inspection Department
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in and accompanying this communication may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this communication please delete and destroy all copies immediately.
Parcelforce Worldwide is a trading name of Royal Mail Group Ltd.
Parcelforce Worldwide's principal office is Lytham House, 25 Caldecotte Lake Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 8LE.
Royal Mail Group VAT registration number: GB243170002 - Alexaconnel1965@gmail.com is part of a UKASH scam this time claiming to be in the leicester area selling a hot tub. It is excactly the same as the above.... Report the ad as a matter of urgency if you receive an email from this person, the email addresses differ but it is usually the same name
- Oh I had right fun with some guy in Africa with UKASH.
I found a picture of a ticket on the web and sent him the number format with a digit changed.
Off he went, 3 hours later.
"I have been to town and office says number supllied is wrong, ??"
Reply " i am sorry I have sent the number mis-typed here is the correct number.
Of he goes again, another few Hours.
"i am sorry but numbers are still wrong, can you help>
Reply: You are not going to believe this but I bought two things by UKASH and got the numbers wrong, sorry here is the correct number.
"thank you but office closed now until morning I walk back first morning then send your camera at same time OK ?"
R " Yeah great, sorry about the number"
" now I have walked 6 miles 3 times and the number you given has already been used are you trying to trick me ort something in to posting camera ?"
Err "You started it mate"
R " *** ****** Off if i ever see you I kill you"
" Will you post the camera first "
No... reply, darn was enjoying it. - I just nearly got caught for eactly the same thing. Thank god for MSE!!
Started like this...
Hi ***,
Don't know if it's been long since you've emailed, I've been out so couldn't follow up on my text message. Can't promise anything but visiting my mum shortly, wouldn't mind making a drop off . If you'll send me your postcode I can check out on my satnav the distance to yours.
Reasonable price and accurate description, it's worth the money, no bad surprises. I won't go any lower.
Can be reached on 07747524520 low signal strength area but check emails regularly.
Ta,
Alexa.
P.S. Will take cash only.
Needless to say I could never get through on the phone..
I then got......
Unfortunately I got called into the office so very busy till next week. Back at work we have some shipments for large items with parcelforce all week long. Just thought it would save you time and hassle if I'll send it along with them free of charge company benefits .
I asked around and it seems you can pay cash upon delivery/inspection. It's quite simple since they're able to wait for you to check it out, if not as described they can just void the shipment.
If that's alright with you I'll need a name, address, contact number and time frame when someone's home, can book a specific time slot if it helps.
Working long hours so If you want to pop in and pick it up you'll just have to wait till next week when hopefully I'll get my head around .
Let me know either way.
Alexa.
You can check out Alexa's profile on Google+ here :https:// plus.google.com/u/0/115905635059
Even a google + profile to make it more real...... I then arranged a time for delivery and received.....
Booked it for Friday am, 9-10am. Great, I've just finished filling out the forms online and Parcel Force will handle payment as well, you'll need cash. You should receive email notifications on how to proceed. Get back to me if you don't receive them and if you have any queries, glad to help.
Alexa.
P.S. If not in your inbox check your junk or spam folder also.
Followed by....
Parcel Tracking details
==================
At the request of Alexa Connel, this notice is to confirm that the following shipment is in transit.
Important delivery information
----------------------------------------------
Temporary parcel number: PBIE5569536882 *Pending-Not valid to track online*
Status: In progress(Arrived at delivery depot)
Ships to: N*****
**************
*************
*********
United Kingdom
*************
Payment required within 24 hours:
Instructions:
1. Find a corner shop, newsagent, convenience store, supermarket or outlet that has the PayPoint sign as you can see bellow:
2. Ask the shopkeeper for a Ј60.00 UKASH voucher.
3. Reply to this invoice directly with a readable scan or a photo of the UKASH receipt.
4. Our department will automatically validate your voucher and release the parcel out for delivery.
5. The delivery agent will call you on ************* 1 hour prior to delivery. You are able to inspect the contents and if satisfied you will need to sign for it. If not, our agent will do a bank transfer and return the parcel as rejected.
Parcel Force Package Inspection Department
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in and accompanying this communication may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this communication please delete and destroy all copies immediately.
Parcelforce Worldwide is a trading name of Royal Mail Group Ltd.
Parcelforce Worldwide's principal office is Lytham House, 25 Caldecotte Lake Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 8LE.
Royal Mail Group VAT registration number: GB243170002
Lucky I googled UKash before going to a paypoint and found this article!!! I have repoted to Gumtree....Lets see how long it takes to get rid of the ad!!
Thanks to everyone on here for posting this. Hopefully a few more will be saved - Hi All... Sadly too late for me :-( But I got exactly the same as post above me word for word. Never thought to google anything as I was moving & decorating, therefore stressed & extremely busy & only online to look quickly for 'bargains'.
I got scammed via Gumtree. I've reported the ad to them 3 times since last thurs 31st May and despite their '24hr a day 365 days a year manning, I've heard nothing! The ad's still live... Makes me wonder if Gumtree themselves is totally kosha!? Maybe the scammers run the site??
I have informed the internet fraud team at the police & investigation is ongoing.. Please do the same wether your a victim or not.
Ad ref 102160203 on Gumtree
I know have no kitchen and no money to replace it..
Anyone renewing theirs lol
Take care
Suga - Ad ref 102506735
Posted 20 days ago
Posting ads since May 2012
Alexa Edwards she called herself in email, then Alexa Esber on the link to google mail
you can smell the rat when you can't contact her by phone and she ask you to part with 100 quids, no way! People like her should rot in hell!! - Posting ads since May 2012
Alexa Edwards she called herself in email, then Alexa Esber on the link to google mail
Just gone through the Alexi Edwards experience. But thanks to everyone on this thread for saving me from a spanking.
Ј160 for a speaker cab listed on gumtree. Same story as above and almost identical mail.
I have reported her to gumtree and the ad seems to have been removed.
I also sent her a link to this page asking her if she had anything to say for her self. Don't expect a reply. But if I get one i will post it here. - what is it with Gumtree? i tried to sell a couple of items and gave up.
that was some time ago and it still seems like the same things are going on?! yet Gumtree (ebay owned?) is getting major league marketing on tv? - got the exact same emails as newblank after responding to the following advert....
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/he...ry-item-full-3 - I was trying to do a deal on a guitar:
YAMAHA RGZ CUSTOM, on Brighton Gumtree
After the last email that mentioned UKASH out of the blue, when all that had been discussed was cash to Parcelforce after inspection of the guitar, I got suspicious.
This time it's "Alexa Brown" alexa75brown@gmail.com
I've reported it to Gumtree as well.
And, he/she/they have just posted the ad again:
gumtree[dot]com/p/for-sale/yamaha-rgz-custom/104221391
And, I've reported it again.
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